Elbit Systems UK denies closure of Bristol site

The Elbit Systems UK site is in Aztec West, near Bristol

A defence firm has denied speculation that one of its facilities has been shut down.

Elbit Systems UK has 16 offices across the country including one in Aztec West, near Bristol, which was rumoured to have closed.

The company was the subject of several protests by proscribed group Palestine Action which claims Elbit supplies weapons to the Israeli military - a claim the company strongly denies.

"As a British defence company Elbit Systems UK provides highly-skilled career opportunities to many hundreds of people across our numerous UK locations supporting the UK Armed Forces," a spokesperson for the firm said.

The BBC understands that no Elbit sites have been closed due to protests.

A total of 24 people are currently awaiting trial after an alleged ram raid at another Bristol Elbit site in nearby Patchway, in August 2024.

Palestine Action claimed to be behind the incident, as well as another protest that was staged at RAF Brize Norton in June.

The protests - which caused millions of pounds of damage - played a key part in the group being proscribed by the government on 5 July.

The prime minister's official spokesperson previously told the BBC the decision to ban the group was based on strong security advice, due to the "serious attacks" committed by the group involving "violence" and "extensive criminal damage".

The former Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, defended the ban.

She said some supporters "don't know the full nature" of the group and stressed it was "not a non-violent organisation".

Supporting the group is now classed as a criminal offence, with membership or expressing support for it punishable by up to 14 years in prison.